Band's halftime show features Jimmy Buffett

Press Release Archive

POPLARVILLE - Singer Jimmy Buffett’s voice returns to Pearl River Community College this fall as part of the Spirit of the River marching band’s halftime show.Buffet provided taped narration for the show which features the music he made famous long after he attended Pearl River. “We are excited that he agreed to do it,” said Dr. Kyle Hill, director of bands. “A lot of people can do a Jimmy Buffett show, but not many can do it like we can. He made it very personal to Pearl River.” Five of Buffett’s hits are featured in the show - Fruitcakes, Fins, Changes in Attitude, Changes in Latitude; Margaritaville and Son of a Son of a Sailor. The show begins with Buffett recounting a spur-of-the-moment decision to follow a pretty girl onto campus and enrolling for his freshman year. Buffett attended PRCC in 1965-66 and is pictured in the 1966 Wildcat yearbook in Entre Nous, the French club. He introduces the five songs included in the show. “For him to take the time to do it is amazing,” said Blair Seymour, a sophomore clarinet player from Carriere. “Not many famous people would do it.” Buffett also waived royalty fees for the band. “We have to have permission to use the music and typically you have to pay for that,” Hill said. “Mr. Buffett graciously allowed us to use it without charge.” Buffett has also contributed to his alma mater by taping a spot for PRCC’s series of “I’m a Wildcat” television commercials. Buffett at the River premiers on Aug. 29 when PRCC takes on East Mississippi Community College at 7 p.m. in Dobie Holden Stadium. The pre-game show featuring the String of Pearls dancing to We Got the Beat starts at 6:45 p.m. The band is under the field direction of sophomore drum majors Adam Weatherford of Columbia, Desmond Edmondson of Hattiesburg and Heather Ruffin of Picayune. Color guard caption is Brandi Logan of Oak Grove. Co-captains are Abbie McMahon of Petal and Alicia Buckelew of Picayune. The String of Pearls captains are Victoria Farmer of Picayune and Lacey Hampton of Carriere. Lieutenants are Linzy Hudson-Kline of Picayune and Regan al-Jabi of Carriere. Michael Bass is assistant director of bands, Kara Fleming directs the String of Pearls, Chasity Hawthorn is color guard director and Ronnie Pascal is percussion instructor. Archie Rawls is chairman of the Department of Fine Arts and Communication and director of the JazzCats band.

The Spirit of the River marching band at Pearl River Community College practices the 2013 halftime show, which features the music of PRCC alumnus Jimmy Buffett.

Ashtin Harlin of Poplarville, from left, John Garner of Foxworth and Rashawn Johnson of Columbia and other members of the Spirit of the River marching band at Pearl River Community College practice the 2013 halftime show.

Spirit of the River trumpet players and the rest of the band practice the 2013 halftime show for Pearl River Community College football games. They are, from left, Kyle Tynes of Foxworth, Maggie Allen of Purvis, Kaycie Cucurullo of Kiln, Chris Fletcher of Columbia and Robert Hinton of Hattiesburg.PRCC Public Relations photos